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The most important word you know in a given language?

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Larry Greenly

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Re: The most important word you know in a given language?

by Larry Greenly » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:12 am

Cerveza as in "uno mas cerveza."
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Hoke

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Re: The most important word you know in a given language?

by Hoke » Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:23 pm

In German: Entschuldigen Sie?

Germans are so mannerly and quaintly formal (that's when they are at home, not when they're travelling in boorish groups :^)), that any situation you're in can be turned to your advantage by starting your sentence with that brief phrase.

If you approach a German---especially an older German, but it works surprisingly well with even the brashest youth sometimes---with that polite phrase which essentially means "Excuse me", but really means so much more, it's almost like placing a social obligation on the listener to respond graciously to deal with whatever problem you have--whether you need directions, or help figuring out a menu item, where the bathroom is, or anything else. It almost never fails...and it's saved my butt any number of times, getting me the information I need and calming irate natives. :wink:
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Bob Henrick

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Re: The most important word you know in a given language?

by Bob Henrick » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:42 pm

Hi Hoke! it is extremely good to see you Buddy!
Bob Henrick

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